2017 FORD F150 tow

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury. Do not exceed the lowest
rating capacity for your
vehicle or trailer hitch. Overloading
your vehicle or trailer hitch can
impair your vehicle stability and
handling. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death. Do not cut, drill, weld or
modify the trailer hitch.
Modifying the trailer hitch could
reduce the hitch rating. Note:
To prevent your trailer from
accumulating distance, and the
trailer information status appearing
when you restart your vehicle after
disconnecting your trailer, you must
deactivate your trailer. Using the
information display, go to the
Towing menu and then the Select
Trailer option. Select the No active
trailer option. See Information
Displays (page 110).
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See
Fuses
(page 307).
Your vehicle may have ability to
modify trailer towing features.
See
General Information (page
110).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation.
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Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a ball mount with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side. When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual. See Load Limit (page
248).
You can also find information in
the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online. RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
TRAILER REVERSING AIDS
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ WARNINGS
Driving while distracted can result in
loss of vehicle control, crash and
injury. We strongly recommend that
you use extreme caution when using any
device that may take your focus off the
road. Your primary responsibility is the safe WARNINGS
operation of your vehicle. We recommend
against the use of any hand-held device
while driving and encourage the use of
voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable
local laws that may affect the use of
electronic devices while driving.
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WARNINGS
This system is an extra driving aid. It
does not replace your attention and
judgment, or the need to apply the
brakes. This system does NOT
automatically brake your vehicle. If you fail
to press the brake pedal when necessary,
you may collide with another vehicle. Note:
The system is not a substitute for
safe driving practices.
Note: You must always be aware of the
vehicle and trailer combination and the
surrounding environment.
Note: The system does not detect or
prevent the vehicle or trailer from making
contact with obstacles in the surrounding
environment.
Note: Keep in mind that the front end of
the vehicle swings out when changing the
direction of the trailer.
Note: The system relies on user
measurements to determine sticker
placement and system limits. It is critical to
take the key measurements correctly.
Incorrect measurements can result in the
improper function of the system up to and
including contact between the vehicle and
trailer.
Note: The system limits vehicle speed when
backing up. The system is not a replacement
for proper use of the throttle and brake
pedals.
Principle of Operation
This feature helps you to steer your vehicle
when backing up with a trailer attached.
Turn and hold the control knob in the
direction you want the trailer to go and the
system takes over the steering. This allows
you to focus on checking the mirrors and
operating the brake and accelerator.
Each trailer you use with your vehicle has
to be setup once. You must take care to follow the setup
process accurately, to make sure the
sticker is placed correctly.
Setting Up Pro Trailer Backup
Assist
Note:
Once you have entered a trailer's
information into the system, it is stored for
easy recall. A maximum of 10 trailers can be
added to the system.
Step 1: Position your Vehicle and Trailer
Hitch your conventional trailer to your
vehicle. See Essential Towing Checks
(page 278).
Park your vehicle and hitched trailer on a
level surface.
For best results, make sure that your trailer
rides level with the ground when you hitch
it your vehicle. More information on
selecting your towbar is available in the
Towing section.
See Towing (page 256). Make sure your vehicle and the trailer are
in line with each other. You can do this by
driving straight forward.
Step 2: Follow the Information Display
Prompts
Press the button to turn the system on.
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1.
Select the option to add a trailer in the
instrument cluster menu, using the
steering wheel control. See General
Information (page 110).
2. Add a personalized name for the trailer
using the screen prompts. Use the
down arrow to scroll to the desired
letter and then press the right arrow to
advance to the next letter. Press OK to
continue.
3. Select the type of trailer brake system for the trailer you are adding.
4. Select the brake effort level for the trailer.
Note: The default option is low. This is
recommended for most trailers. If the
trailer's brakes require more initial voltage,
or if you prefer more aggressive braking then
select the other options as required. 5. Select the trailer type.
Some examples of conventional type
trailers are shown below.
Note:
You cannot use the system with the
types of trailers marked with the cross.
The system only works with
conventional trailers. It does not work
with other types including goose neck
and fifth wheel. Follow the information display prompts.
Step 3: Place the Sticker on the Trailer
Frame
The supplied sticker must be placed in an
area visible by the Rear View Camera.
Note:
The cargo and trailer hookup lamps
turn on automatically to improve visibility.
Note: An assistant can help to carry out the
following procedure.
Note: Make sure nothing can obstruct the
Rear View Camera's view of the sticker. For
example, items such as a jack handle or
wiring.
Note: Position the sticker on a flat, dry and
clean horizontal surface. For best results
apply the sticker when temperatures are
above
32°F (0°C).
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Note:
Do not move stickers after they are
placed. Do not re-use any stickers if
removed.
Note: Additional stickers may be purchased
through your Ford Dealers parts department. Use the supplied measurement card, a
tape measure and pen to carefully mark
the area where to attach the sticker
(supplied in the back cover pocket of your
quick start guide). Make sure the whole
sticker is within the zone between the two
arcs or distance markers on the diagram,
and is also visible in the Rear View Camera
display.
Step 4: Take Measurements
After the sticker is correctly placed on the
trailer you must take some key
measurements.
Note:
Accurate measurements must be
taken for the system to operate properly.
Note: Round measurement figures to the
nearest half inch.
Note: Round upward if the measured length
is a quarter inch or greater. Round
downward if the measure length is less than
a quarter inch. For example 12.25 in
(31.11 cm) would be rounded up to 12.50 in
(31.75 cm). 12.13 in (30.8 cm) would be
rounded down to 12.00 in (30.48 cm).
Note: Use consistent metric or imperial
units as required by your country or vehicle. Record the four key distances (A, B, C, D)
as required by the measurement card.
Record the trailer name for these
measurements.
Distance A
The horizontal distance from the license
plate to the center of the ball hitch on the
trailer.
Distance B
The horizontal distance from the center of
the ball hitch to the center of the sticker.
Distance C
The distance from the Rear View Camera
to the center of the sticker.
Distance D
The horizontal distance from the tailgate
to the center of the trailer axle (single axle
trailers), or the center of the axles (trailers
with dual axles or more).
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A
B
C
D
D

Step 5: Enter Measurements Using the
Information Display
Using the recorded measurements, enter
the required data into the system. Follow
the on screen prompts to enter each of the
measurements taken in step 4. When all
four distances have been entered, a
confirmation display will appear. Check
the values are correct before proceeding,
or go back to change any if required.
Step 6: Confirming the Sticker Location
Check the Rear View Camera display to
see if the sticker is identified by the system
and marked with a red circle.
Confirm that the red circle is correctly
located over the sticker image in the
display. The on screen prompt will ask you
to confirm this.
Note:
If the system cannot locate the
sticker try cleaning the camera lens, and
also make sure the sticker is within the green
zone as indicated in step 3.
Calibrating the System
To complete setup, drive your vehicle
straight forward between 4 mph (6 km/h)
and 24 mph (39 km/h) following the on
screen prompt.
Note: Check your measurements to make
sure you measured from the correct points.
Note: If you move the steering wheel during
this procedure, the calibration pauses.
Note: We recommend that you do not do
this at night.
A message will be displayed during
calibration and after calibration is
complete.
Using Pro Trailer Backup Assist
To use the system press the button and
select the required trailer from the display. When the sticker is located, the display
prompts you to shift into reverse (R). The
system turns on.
Note:
The system does not function if your
hands are on the steering wheel. Remove
your hands to resume operation.
Follow the screen prompts to steer your
vehicle and trailer.
Note: You may have to drive forward to
straighten the trailer.
Take your hands off the steering wheel and
turn the Pro Trailer Backup Assist control
knob instead. The knob acts as the steering
control for the trailer.
Note: The more you turn the knob, the
sharper the trailer turns.
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Turn and hold counterclockwise to make
the trailer go left.
Turn and hold clockwise to make the trailer
go right.
Note:
Practice maneuvering with the
system in a safe open area first.
Note: Try backing up in a straight line and
then turning the knob slowly in the direction
you want to go.
Note: Quickly turning and releasing the
knob results in a jerky movement of the
vehicle. Release the knob when the trailer is
moving in the direction you want. Control
the accelerator and brakes while the
system steers your vehicle automatically
to keep the trailer moving straight back.
Note:
You may have to use the knob to
correct the trailer direction when attempting
to move the trailer straight back under some
conditions.
Note: Your vehicle speed is automatically
limited.
Note: When you release the knob or turn it
to the center position, your vehicle follows
the trailer's path.
Troubleshooting
Note: The system requires a clear view of
the sticker placed on the trailer. You must
keep the camera lens and sticker clean for
the system to operate correctly.
Setup
The system is designed to be used with a
wide variety of trailers. However there are
some trailers that do not have a proper
surface and location to mount the sticker.
These trailers are not supported. Attempts
to place the sticker on a surface that does
not meet the sticker placement
requirement listed in Step 3 of the setup
instruction or entering inaccurate
measurements to proceed through setup
can result in improper system function.
Accurate measurements are critical to
correct system function. If you need to
check measurements entered or change
them you can access them through the
trailer menus in the instrument cluster.
Choose the option to change the sticker
from the change trailer settings menu. It is
not necessary to remove the sticker if you
are just reviewing or changing
measurements.
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The following menu warnings or difficulties
may occur during setup. Tips to resolve
them are listed below.
Note:
If you still experience issues with the
system's ability to detect the sticker, see
the information in the next section regarding
sticker lost during system operation.
Measurement A has reached maximum or
minimum value:
• The system is designed to work with
drawbars that have a license plate to
hitch ball center measurement of 9 in
(23 cm) to 16 in (40 cm) when
installed. Do not attempt to use
drawbars that have a length outside
this range as the system performance
will be degraded and could cause
improper system function.
• Make sure that the measurement being
made is the horizontal distance only
from license plate and the hitch ball
center. A straight line distance that
includes any vertical rise or drop will
increase the measurement and make
it inaccurate. Inaccurate
measurements will degrade system
performance and could cause improper
system function. See step 4 of the
setup instruction to review
measurement instructions. Measurement B has reached maximum or
minimum value:
•
Make sure that the sticker placement
instruction in step 3 of the setup has
been followed. Stickers placed outside
the allowed zone will adversely affect
the system performance and could
cause improper feature function.
• Make sure that the measurement being
made is the horizontal distance only
from center of sticker to the hitch ball
center. A straight line distance that
includes any vertical rise or drop will
increase the measurement and cause
an inaccurate value to be entered into
the system. See step 4 of the setup for
additional measurement instructions.
Measurement C has reached maximum or
minimum value:
• Make sure that the sticker placement
instructions in step 3 of the setup have
been followed. Stickers placed outside
the allowed zone will adversely affect
the system performance and could
cause improper feature function. If you
have met all the criteria for sticker
placement and you see this message
this sticker is either too far below or too
close to the camera to properly
recognize the sticker. In order for the
system to operate correctly the sticker
height must be lowered if you receive
the minimum warning or the sticker
height must be raised if you receive the
maximum warning.
• Only one sticker can be placed on the
trailer for correct system function. The
previous sticker must be removed or
covered so only one sticker is visible to
the camera.
• Measurement B and C must be
measured again if a new sticker is
placed on the trailer.
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